Legqog's Congratulations on the Holding of the Tibetan Culture Week in Australia and New Zealand

November 15, 2001

I have heard with pleasure that the China Tibetan Culture Week is going to be held in Australia and New Zealand, and wish to extend my warm congratulations on the occasion of this event.

China's Tibet Autonomous Region is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is well known around the world for its rich and splendid culture with Tibetan characteristics, and for its marvelous natural scenery. In the 1950s, the feudal serf system was abolished, and about a million serfs were emancipated and became masters of their own lives. Since then, Tibet has embarked on the road to modernization. Over the past half century, the traditional Tibetan culture has been carried forward and promoted, the economy and society have developed in an all-round way, and the Tibetan people's living standards have risen. Today, against the background of China's development of its western areas, Tibet is marching toward the world beyond in a welcoming and open way.

This culture week, as an important part of the cultural exchanges and friendly intercourse between China on the one side and Australia and New Zealand on the other, will be helpful for enhancing the Australian and New Zealand people's knowledge about Tibet. On behalf of the 2.62 million Tibetan people, I would like to take this opportunity to invite more of our Australian and New Zealand friends to come to Tibet for visits, and investigation, and become more acquainted with this fascinating region.

I would like to wish the China Tibetan Culture Week every success!

Legqog
Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China